July 20, 2018

Winterthur has partnered with more than two dozen environmental organizations for DelaWILD, a special day celebrating nature and the environment in the First State, which will take place on Saturday, Aug. 25. DelaWILD includes talks, walks, demonstrations, and workshops about topics such as water, wildlife, plant life, and nature in the urban environment. Events take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Winterthur.

Bethany Hall-Long, lieutenant governor of Delaware; Charlie Engelman, host of the National Geographic Weird But True! children’s television show; and a range of experts from local environmental organizations will be part of the day’s events.

“With so many organizations in the First State committed to education, conservation, and advocacy for our shared environment, we wanted to bring them together in one place so that area residents could see the breadth of the work they are doing—and learn what they can do in their homes and yards,” said Chris Strand, the Brown Harrington director of the Garden and Estate at Winterthur.

“These organizations do a great deal of work that benefits Delaware residents. They help to keep our drinking water clean, preserve precious natural resources, encourage children to interact with nature, protect pollinators, advocate for wildlife, conserve forests, connect people with the natural world, and protect habitats.”

“DelaWILD offers a tremendous opportunity for people to learn how to help the environment, from adding plants to their gardens that feed bees, butterflies, birds, and native critters to learning how many things can be recycled, and where, plus much more,” he continued.

Among the partner organizations participating in DelaWILD are Bee Watchers, Delaware Association for Environmental Education, Delaware Children in Nature, Delaware Department of Agriculture, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Delaware Forest Service, Delaware Museum of Natural History, Delaware Nature Society, Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids, National Geographic, New Castle Conservation District, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

The former country estate of Henry Francis du Pont, Winterthur encompasses nearly 1,000 acres of woodlands, hay fields, and meadows, with streams and ponds throughout the landscape. The estate is under a conservation easement, which means it will remain as open space forever. Through its land management practices, Winterthur protects important woodlands and their habitats, contributes cleaner water to the Brandywine watershed through stream bank plantings that keep sediments out of creeks, encourages healthy pollinators through proper meadow management, and supports nesting for many bird species.

DelaWILD admission costs $20 for adults and $6 for children ages 2–11. The cost for Winterthur Members and members of the participating organizations is $10; free for their children ages 2–11. Admission includes an Introductory Tour of the mansion, a narrated tram ride through the garden, and Follies: Architectural Whimsy in the Garden. Thirteen fantastic structures—from a Gothic-inspired tower and an Ottoman tent to American summerhouses and a faerie cottage—await exploration in Winterthur’s first-ever garden exhibition. Follies may be explored on a leisurely walk or on the garden tram.

Winterthur—known worldwide for its preeminent collection of American decorative arts, naturalistic gardens, and research library for the study of American art and material culture—offers a variety of tours, exhibitions, programs, and activities throughout the year. General admission includes a tour of some of the most notable spaces in the 175-room house as well as access to the Winterthur Garden and Galleries, special exhibitions, a narrated tram tour (weather permitting), the Campbell Collection of Soup Tureens, and the Enchanted Woods children’s garden. Admission costs $20 for adults; $18 for students and seniors; and $6 for ages 2–11. Group rates available. For details, visit winterthur.org or call 800.448.3883.

Winterthur is open 10 am–5 pm, Tuesday–Sunday, and is located on Route 52, six miles northwest of Wilmington, Delaware, and five miles south of U.S. Route 1. Closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Nestled in the heart of Delaware’s beautiful Brandywine Valley, midway between New York City and Washington, D.C., Winterthur is located minutes from Longwood Gardens and other Brandywine Valley attractions—including world-class museums, gardens, and historic sites—as well as wineries, hotels, and restaurants.

(Images courtesy of Winterthur)

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